Hello all,

I just got a runner, 1998 Limited with 93,000 miles. Very nice running truck. Little maintenance history however....

I do have a slight leak/drip that I am trying to figure out where from on my own. I simple greened and pressure washed the underside, as well as sprayed some carb cleaner to remove most of the oil.

While having a rear axle seal replaced, the mechanic told me that the VC gaskets had been done, but I am sensing the oil coming from the "rear" area of the VC on the drivers side. I know that there are half moons and cam plugs back there that could be the culprit right?

If the VC gaskets were indeed changed, could it be that whoever did them did not replace the cam plugs?

Here is a couple pics I took today from underneath, drivers side.
I'm pretty sure some of my "leaks" are from this area. What am I looking at here? Is this the valve cover gasket? or something else? I think the leak is just above this area, but don't have a mirror yet.

Sorry for the book, and the noob question.



DSC00424 by cheesey8, on Flickr

DSC00420 by cheesey8, on Flickr

 

Are you sure it's not oil running back from the oil filter? After cleaning did you get a better read on it?

How did the mechanic determine the VC gaskets had been replaced? It's likely that the FIPG/RTV was not placed on the head in the locations specified or placed on a oily surface before the VC gasket was placed in position and torqued. Yes, it could be the cam plug leaking too.

 

Yeah, I'm pretty sure it's not the filter, but I will keep an eye on it too.

I really don't know how he deduced that it had been changed...

I'm beginning to believe he may have been full of it. The VCs do appear to be pretty clean except for the rear areas.... I will also try to check the torque once i get a good torque wrench. I will probably end up pulling them sooner or later and do it myself for a good learning experience.

 

Those VC bolts only take 53 in-lbs of torque.

Oil could be getting past the semi-circular plug in the end of the head if the FIGP has given way.

Use the FSM link in my sig to take a look or download a copy.

 

Thanks, man!